Saturday, 19th April 2008

Venue : The Ecumenical Church, Wesley Terrace, Rodley Nr. Leeds

Barbara Mavis: The Priory Tapestries and vestments
Mary Newlove: Fishermen's 'Ganzies'

We returned to Rodley for our April AGM meeting and a particular speaker we had been chasing for some time. Ruth Caswell is a renowned Costume Designer and the textile historian instrumental in initiating the Bradford Textile Archive, now housed in new surroundings at Salt's Mill. As a fashion graduate, Ruth first trained as a costumier at Nathan's in London before a long association with the pioneering Theatre 69 Company, (precursor of Manchester's Royal Exchange,) dressing many star productions and premieres. In the 1970's, her own label work as a fashion designer for Liberty's and others, featured in Vogue. Ruth has made costumes for Glyndebourne Opera and numerous television programmes including the BBC's famous 1997 Pride & Prejudice for wich she was textile advisor. Her film credits include Shakespeare in Love and the two current Elizabeth films. Alongside all this, Ruth has a textile-related project she wanted to share with us.

 

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